# Adam Nawałka

> Polish association football manager

**Wikidata**: [Q350508](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q350508)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Nawałka)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/adam-nawaka

## Summary
Adam Nawałka is a Polish association football manager and former player, born on October 23, 1957. He is best known for managing the Poland national football team from 2013 to 2018, leading them to UEFA Euro 2016 where they reached the quarter-finals.

## Biography
- Born: October 23, 1957 (Poland)
- Nationality: Polish
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Managing Poland national football team and professional playing career
- Employer(s): Poland national football team (manager), Wisła Kraków (manager), Amica Wronki (manager), Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski (manager), Poland national under-21 football team (manager)
- Field(s): Association football (soccer) - player and manager

## Contributions
Adam Nawałka contributed to Polish football both as a player and manager. As a player, he represented Poland at the international level. As a manager, he led Wisła Kraków to multiple Ekstraklasa titles and Polish Cup victories. His most significant achievement was qualifying Poland for UEFA Euro 2016 and guiding them to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Portugal on penalties. He also managed the Poland national under-21 team and various club sides including Amica Wronki and Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski.

## FAQs
What teams did Adam Nawałka manage?
Adam Nawałka managed several Polish clubs including Wisła Kraków, Amica Wronki, and Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski, as well as the Poland national football team and the Poland national under-21 team.

What was Adam Nawałka's greatest achievement as a manager?
His greatest achievement was leading Poland to UEFA Euro 2016, where the team reached the quarter-finals, marking Poland's best performance in a European Championship.

Did Adam Nawałka play football professionally?
Yes, Adam Nawałka had a professional playing career before becoming a manager, though specific details about his playing career are not provided in the source material.

## Why They Matter
Adam Nawałka matters in Polish football history as one of the most successful domestic managers who transitioned to lead the national team. His tenure with the Poland national team brought renewed success and visibility to Polish football on the international stage, particularly through the Euro 2016 campaign. His experience across multiple clubs in Poland gave him a comprehensive understanding of Polish football, which he applied at the national level. His ability to develop and manage teams at both club and international levels made him a significant figure in Polish football development.

## Notable For
- Managing Poland national football team to UEFA Euro 2016 quarter-finals
- Leading Wisła Kraków to multiple Ekstraklasa titles and Polish Cup victories
- Serving as manager for multiple Polish clubs including Amica Wronki and Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski
- Managing Poland national under-21 football team
- Having both playing and managerial careers in Polish football

## Body
### Playing Career
Adam Nawałka began his career as an association football player in Poland. While specific details about his playing career are limited in the source material, he represented Poland at the international level as a player. His experience as a player provided the foundation for his later transition into management.

### Managerial Career
Nawałka's managerial career spanned several decades and included both club and national team positions. He started managing at the club level in Poland, taking charge of various teams across different divisions.

At Wisła Kraków, one of Poland's most successful clubs, Nawałka achieved significant success, winning multiple Ekstraklasa titles (Polish top division) and Polish Cup trophies. His tenure at Wisła established him as one of the top managers in Polish club football.

He also managed Amica Wronki, another Polish club, where he continued to develop his managerial skills and reputation. Later, he took charge of Dyskobolia Grodzisk Wielkopolski, further expanding his experience across different clubs in the Polish football system.

### National Team Management
Nawałka's most prominent role came when he was appointed manager of the Poland national football team in 2013. He held this position until 2018, during which time he led the team through a period of significant improvement and achievement.

Under his management, Poland qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, which was a major accomplishment for the national team. At the tournament itself, Poland performed exceptionally well, reaching the quarter-finals. They were eliminated by Portugal on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular and extra time. This performance marked Poland's best-ever result in the European Championship and represented a significant milestone in the country's football history.

Prior to managing the senior national team, Nawałka also served as manager of the Poland national under-21 football team, where he helped develop young talent for the national program.

### Legacy and Impact
Adam Nawałka's impact on Polish football is multifaceted. As a player, he represented his country, contributing to the national team's history. As a manager, he achieved success at both club and international levels, winning domestic titles with Wisła Kraków and leading Poland to their most successful European Championship performance.

His managerial career demonstrates the typical path in Polish football, moving from club management to national team responsibility. His success with Wisła Kraków showed his ability to manage top-level domestic competition, while his work with the national team demonstrated his capability to handle the pressures and challenges of international football.

Nawałka's tenure with the Poland national team helped raise the profile of Polish football internationally and provided a foundation for future success. His experience across multiple clubs and levels of the national team program gave him a comprehensive understanding of Polish football that he applied throughout his career.

## References

1. 90minut.pl
2. Transfermarkt
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013